Lapland Hand Garments: The Mittens from Rovaniemi with Susanna Hansson

Learn the colorwork technique used to create the patterning on mittens from northern Finland (similar patterns are found in northern Norway as well). The mittens that inspired this workshop are named after the city of Rovaniemi that sits on the Arctic Circle and is considered the gateway to Finnish Lapland.The zig-zag pattern appears only on the top of the mitten while the palm side is plain. The design is created in a most unusual way using a main color and three pattern colors. I tend to describe the technique used as a combination of stranded knitting, true intarsia-in-the-round, and woven knitting. Each ‘path’ of the pattern colors has its own skein of yarn so part of the process is learning to keep track of and manipulate your 11 skeins of pattern colors. Once you know how, it’s easy!To get everyone comfortable with the technique, we will spend time practicing on worsted weight yarn with a few pattern colors before launching into the actual class project which is a pair of wristlets.As you plan your wristlets, you will have an opportunity to choose from many pattern colors and think about color placement and ‘swatch’ different placements using colored pencils (much quicker than knitting!). We will also discuss several decorative multi-color cast-ons, how to create braids and half-braids, and learn how to make a finger knitted cord, as well as a great looking tassel. Some decorative elements can be crocheted on afterwards and we will cover some of those options as well, time permitting.Materials fee:$20. This includes sufficient yarn in off-white (your main color) and three pattern colors for a pair of wristlets. The yarn, called Satakieli, is from Finland. It is a 2-ply wool (360 yards/3.5 oz) with a relatively tight twist.

Supplies

For practice: a small quantity (25 yards) smooth worsted weight wool (Cascade 220 is ideal) in off-white with needles to match (approx gauge 4.5-5 stitches/inch).
For class project: needles in a variety of small sizes (ranging from 1.25 mm/US 0000 to 2.75mm/US 2). If you knit loosely, bring needles on the smaller end of the spectrum; if you knit firmly, go to the larger end. Bring whatever needles you prefer for working in the round (dpns, two circulars, magic loop technique).
One L-O-N-G (the longer the better) straight single pointed needle sized between 2 and 3.5 mm/US 0 and 4, one point protector.